While the National American Advertising Awards honors creativity
in advertisement, the AAF Cincinnati Suit Awards recognize the individuals who
perform in an exceptional manner for their respective businesses.

Thompsons says the idea to honor salespeople was born from the
awards that journalists, artists, photographers and professionals in other
creative specialties often receive for outstanding accomplishments.

“Sales people were kind of being overlooked even though their work
was critical to the whole industry,” Thompson says. “We wanted to honor the men
and women who were pounding the pavement every day for their industries.”

To do that, Thompson and AAF Cincinnati decided to move forward
with the Suit Awards as a signature event that conveys the importance of sales
in media.

The 2013 ceremony at the Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront in
Covington acknowledged the best sales representatives in 12 different
categories, including magazines, social media, and digital services. AAF
Cincinnati received more than 300 nominations from throughout the Tristate.
Consideration was given to the individual’s professionalism, accessibility,
flexibility, negotiation skills, customer service skills and ability to close
the deal. The individuals with the most nominations in each category were
selected as winners. Industry representatives from cable television, radio,
publishing and media marketing were among the honorees.

Also among the 12 winners was Cincy Magazine Sales Manager Brad
Hoicowitz, who was recognized for his sales work in the print industry.

Each nominee received a congratulatory certificate, while the
winner was awarded with a commemorative glass trophy.

Since 1904, AAF Cincinnati has supported the industry and its
respective fields. The nonprofit organization is the oldest national advertising
trade association in the nation and represents more than 40,000 professionals.
The AAF has more than 200 advertisement clubs across the country with more than
100 blue-chip corporate members that are advertisers, agencies, and media
companies, comprising the nation’s leading brands and corporations.

As media platforms shift, and information outlets like news,
publishing, and radio explore different avenues of delivery, Thompson says the
sales occupation will remain an important role.

“I think it’s clear to all of us that everything is going to more
digital, but there will always be a need for sales people.”